Teamspeed.com - 2004 BMW 545i... While it's not exotic, it's a must see

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2004 BMW 545i... While it's not exotic, it's a must see

I am a true car enthusiast, and it's great fun detailing, and looking at other people's details on exotics. But something that showcases true paint correction and attention to detail really stands out among the other exotics in my eyes.

Here's a recent example of a Black 545i I worked on. I spent 2.5 days and about 22 hours on the car to restore the paint to 90-95% correction.

Enjoy:

When the car first arrived:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03276.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03277.jpg

(it was more of a brown.. then a black.. :eek: )

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03278.jpg

Tree sap? Check. Moderate to heavy swirls+RIDS? Check. Water-spot etching? Check.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03279.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03281.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03294.jpg

First up, were the wheels. Per usual E46/E60 wheels, they were a matte grey, than the metallic silver they're supposed to be.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03295.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03296.jpg

Rears were in bad shape too:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03297.jpg

So I proceeded to rinse, spray P21S wheel gel, and agitate with various brushes.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03303.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03299.jpg

The tires got eimann fabrik tire cleaner, and the wheel wells got eimann fabrik hi-inensity cleaner.

After the initial scrubbin':

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03300.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03301.jpg

That's more like it!:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03302.jpg

The next order of business was the engine bay. It was moderately dirty, but not too bad.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03288.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03289.jpg

Was pressure rinsed from a safe distance and then sprayed with Eimann Fabrik HIC and agitated with various brushes. Then dressed with PB Trim Restorer.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03379.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03380.jpg

Once that was complete, I foamed, and washed the car with CG CWC. Then pulled it in for claying. I used Riccardo Yellow for the job. Contamination was relatively light for how dirty the car was.. here's a pic after half the hood:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03305.jpg

Swirls before:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03307.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03310.jpg

Then the polishing came! Using Nikku's instructions, I proceeded with two polishes to start off with. 3M UK Fast Cut Plus, paired with a 3M UK Green Compounding pad and Gloss-It EVP worked for about 5-7 minutes at 1000-1200-1700-1200. Then followed that up with Menzerna PowerFinish on a 3M UK Yellow pad worked at 1000-1200-1500-1200-1000

Here's the results in the sun:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03311.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03313.jpg

Under halogens:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03315.jpg

What I found out once I started working the rest of the hood (I usually work 1/2 a hood at a time) that I was going too fast for the polishing sequence. So on all the verticle panels, and the hood/trunk I went with 3M FC+ and PFW+EVP at 1800rpm, then back down the FC+ and 3M UK Green then PowerFinish/Yellow.

Here's the hood after (a few deep RIDS remained: about 7 scratches that went the length of the hood that I later confirmed with the owner were from cat claws )

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03319.jpg
(one seen here)

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03324.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03327.jpg

Fender done/ door not:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03331.jpg

Mirror before:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03335.jpg

After:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03339.jpg

Me working the A-pillar:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03344.jpg

Trunk before:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03345.jpg

And after:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03348.jpg

Trunk done, rear quarter not:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...i/DSC03350.jpg

Damn! I'm always amazed at how well a good detailer can make or break a car. Well done Aaron :yup:

Aaron, car looks great!!! fillers or not, whats safe is safe!! hmmm...blow through the clear into the paint, or fill = tough call, I think you made the right one (assuming BH fills, i dont know)

I have a 07 BMW 335 I just gave an estimate on...lets just say its between the audi I did and the 5 series I did a few months ago! 2 days minimum! looks to be in the same condition as this one, but paint is in a little better condition, with a bunch of holograms!

Aaron you're a one-man-machine bro. Great work! How's the S doing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neijia (Post 426679)

Damn! I'm always amazed at how well a good detailer can make or break a car. Well done Aaron :yup:

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envious Eric (Post 426710)

Thanks! As in the before-lsp-pics there wasn't much to fill.. so I didn't use it for it's filling properties, but it IS known to fill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUUNER (Post 426711)

Great job!!!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt (Post 427189)

Aaron you're a one-man-machine bro. Great work! How's the S doing?

Hey, Marc! Thanks! Eh S is ok. it's a bittersweet love, that car.

Aaron...beautiful work indeed! That car was in bad shape, and I know how challenging the BMW clear can be. Way to put in the time to bring that car back to life. Thanks for sharing.